Timothée Chalamet Wins Best Actor and Publicly Thanks Kylie Jenner at the Critics Choice Awards

5 January 2026

Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet at the 31st annual Critics Choice Awards in Santa Monica. Credit: Phillip Faraone/Getty

On January 4, 2026, Hollywood’s awards season roared into life at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards in Santa Monica, where Timothée Chalamet delivered one of the evening’s most memorable moments by winning Best Actor for his performance in Marty Supreme, a sports drama that captured audiences with its heartfelt portrayal of ambition and determination and turning his acceptance speech into a deeply personal tribute that resonated far beyond the usual thank-you roll call.

Chalamet, one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation, stood onstage at Barker Hangar amid the glittering crowd of nominees, directors and industry figures to accept the Critics Choice trophy, acknowledging his peers, his creative team and the film’s director Josh Safdie before offering a rare, heartfelt shout-out to his longtime partner Kylie Jenner, calling her “my partner of three years” and declaring that he “couldn’t do this without you,” words that drew visible emotion from Jenner in the audience and sparked widespread conversation across entertainment circles.

The win marked a significant milestone in Chalamet’s career, adding to a growing list of accolades for his work in Marty Supreme, a film in which he portrays an underdog table tennis player pursuing the 1952 world championship, a role that has earned him praise for its depth, nuance and unexpected charm, as well as his transformation into a character driven by gritty ambition and human vulnerability. In a competitive category that included names like Leonardo DiCaprio and Michael B. Jordan, Chalamet’s victory was seen as a defining moment that both acknowledged his remarkable range and positioned him as a frontrunner in what promises to be a dynamic awards season.

Chalamet’s speech began with gratitude toward his fellow nominees and collaborators, including Safdie, whose direction helped shape the film’s grounded yet cinematic feel, and the ensemble cast and crew whose dedication brought the story to life. But it was the moment he pivoted toward Jenner that truly captured the room’s attention. Referencing her support throughout his career and their relationship, Chalamet thanked Jenner for being his “foundation,” adding with a tenderness seldom seen in such public forums that he loved her and truly believed he could not have reached that moment without her steady presence. As the camera panned to Jenner, 28, she was seen mouthing the words “I love you” back to him, a quiet but moving exchange that brought applause and admiration from many in attendance.

The couple’s relationship, which began in 2023, has largely been kept out of the spotlight compared with other Hollywood pairings, making Chalamet’s public acknowledgment especially meaningful for fans and industry watchers who have followed their journey with curiosity and affection. Their appearance together at this year’s Critics Choice Awards, a high-profile event that sets the tone for what is shaping up to be an awards season filled with competitive energy and cinematic highlights was a rare and resonant moment of personal intimacy shared onstage among peers and press.

Observers noted that Chalamet’s emotional tribute reflected both the depth of his connection with Jenner and his grounded approach to success, a contrast to some of the more formal or scripted speeches often heard at such ceremonies. By taking the time to thank her by name and speak from the heart, he offered a glimpse into the private side of his life, affirming the role that personal relationships can play in an artist’s professional journey. The moment also served to quiet, at least temporarily, persistent rumors and online chatter about their status, reaffirming publicly that their bond remains strong as they navigate the demands of careers that sometimes pull them in different creative directions.

One Battle After Another, another major presence at the Critics Choice Awards took Best Picture and solidified its own awards season prospects, with Paul Thomas Anderson winning Best Director and Jessie Buckley taking Best Actress for Hamnet, further highlighting the diversity of films recognized that night and the richness of storytelling celebrated by the Critics Choice Association. Chalamet’s win and his tribute to Jenner were among the emotional high points of the evening, standing alongside other significant moments that underscored the vitality of contemporary cinema and the way personal narratives can elevate a night otherwise dominated by industry accolades.

For Chalamet, this Critics Choice Best Actor award is another step in a trajectory that has seen him move from breakout roles in Call Me by Your Name and Beautiful Boy to more expansive, challenging performances like those in A Complete Unknown and Marty Supreme, earning him critical acclaim and a constellation of nominations and awards in recent years. His success at Critics Choice, often viewed as a bellwether for future honors such as the Golden Globes and Oscars, places him firmly in the conversation as the entertainment world watches how the rest of the 2026 awards season unfolds.

The response to Chalamet’s speech has been broadly positive, with fans and commentators applauding both his acting achievement and his heartfelt recognition of a partner who has stood by him through an intense period of career growth. In an era when celebrity relationships can be subject to constant scrutiny and speculation, his heartfelt acknowledgment of Kylie Jenner’s role in his life struck many as a refreshing and sincere moment that transcended the typical glamour of awards night.

As the awards circuit continues, the buzz around Marty Supreme, Chalamet’s performance and his personal shout-out to Jenner is likely to remain part of the season’s cultural conversation, illustrating how awards ceremonies can reflect not only artistic achievement but the deeply human stories behind shows, films and the people who bring them to life.